MADISON – Sandy, Amy, Kieran and Connery Patel have been named as 2018 Madison Family of the Year.

“They are thankful to live in a city like Madison where their family is surrounded by so many friends and co-workers who are a positive and caring influence on them. In return, they are giving back to the community in many extraordinary ways,” Becky Ramsey said. Ramsey volunteers with the program, and her family received the honor in 2016.

Sandeep ‘Sandy’ Patel is President/CEO of Patel Technologies Corporation, which he founded four years ago after supporting NASA for 15 years. Currently, Sandy serves as board member, foundation president and past-president of Rotary Club of Madison.

Amy teaches theatre classes at James Clemens High School and has led Jets Theatre to state and regional awards at Southeastern Theatre Conference. “Amy is heavily involved in theatre in the community. Her service in this area fosters creativity, empathy and leadership in young performers and technicians while bringing the community together,” Ramsey said.

In 2013, Amy was named “Alabama State Secondary Theatre Teacher of the Year” by Alabama Conference of Theatre. She was the 2016 James Clemens Teacher of the Year.

Kieran is a seventh-grader at Liberty Middle School, where he is on the baseball and archery teams. A sixth-grader at Columbia Elementary School, Connery enjoys composing stories and songs and playing drums. Connery is in the cast of “Alice in Wonderland Jr.,” an upcoming production by Columbia Drama Club. Sandy has coached both boys in sports.

“Amy and Sandy may seem like an unlikely pair. However, they share a passion for their boys, Kieran and Connery, and their community,” Ramsey said.

“We are a snuggly family,” Amy said.

“Though very busy, they stay close by making their family a priority. Having dinner together, playing together, or, just hanging out together are just a few of the ways the family ‘resets,’” Ramsey said. “They are a family of diversity, involved and passionate about so many different things.”

“We shift constantly to find the right balance, but we believe firmly that we can do that in Madison. We don’t just live here. We have truly created a life here,” Amy said.